Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1887-09-16
MARYLAND DuNKARps.
Eriy History and Developments Of
Religious Society.

OF the German tunkea, ssto dip'' which
= applied to religious denomination
which originated in Germany. In the
year l70S Alexander Mack, Of Schwartz
zcnau, agreed with few of his neigh
bors to meet together and discuss the
word OF God without reference to ex-
listing creeds. Without being aware
that other denominations held similar
views, they adopted the Bible as their
creed without catechism or confession
OF faith. and the independent or con-
gregational form Of church government.
Persons become members by baptism.
which is administered by immersion,
knecling and dipping three times; hence
their name. They do not practice in
FAINT baptism, dceming it anti-scriptural.
They have no paid ministry, but elect
one OF the male members OF the congre-
CATION to act in the capacity of preacher
for one year. They hold revivals
twice a year--in the winter and spring
when an ardent enthusiasm is stirred
up. There is, however, no shouting in
their revivals. Their services are very
much like those Of other churches.
In their early history. in this country,
nearly all the men wore long boards,
some over half yard long; but this
was not requisite to membership.
There are but few now who wear boards
at all. Their style Of dress is odd, not
unlike that of the Quaker, whom they
follow in their non-conformity to the
world in this respect. There are mem
bers even at the present day who dis
card buttons as entirely too gay, and
fasten their coats with hooks aud eyes.
They are neither allowed to take an
path nor to engage in war. During the
war Of the rebellion a number of young
Dunkards enlisted in the Union army
OF these some were killed; the survivors
returned and were obliged to answer
for it to the church. The Dunkards
were opposed to slavery, and with a
strong sentiment that way in the
church, the case Of these hayward sons
was finally satisfactorily settled, none
of them being punished.
In addition to these views. they hold
it sinful to go to war, or to invoke the
aid of civil authorities, even in self-de-
Tense. They formerly refused all inter-
est on money, but this regulation has
been modified with time, and they now
lend money at legal rates, but never
accept usury. Twice year they cele-
brate the communion in connection
with the agapa. or love feast. Several
weeks before, visiting deacons go around
among the brethren to allay all dissen-
sions and to get thenIin state of COM
munion in order to partake worthily OF
the solemn feast. They also salute one
another with the kiss of charity, anoint
the sick with oil for recovery. and
wash one another's feet. This last
practice they follow as Christian or.
iinance. On these occasions the men
and women are arranged on opposite
sides, on benches, in their bare feet
Two men with aprons and towels move
&ong the row on the mems side, and
wo women similarly supplied on thai
If the women-one washing the fee
md the other wiping them. After the
washing they partake of a COLLATION.
# biscuit, cheese and coffee. This il
he love feast. which extends to The
ength of appeasing the appetite. Aftel
,ating as much AS they wish the sacra
nent is administered.
The Dunkards consisted first of Macl
Ind a few of his neighbors. They sool
increased in number, and severa
,hurchts were built. in which thei
timple and impressive services wer
held. Although leading peaceful ant
harmless lives, they were prosecuted b.
the State and were driven to seek refug
in other lands. Many fled to HOLLAND
and the Duchy of Cleves. Whether the.
, met with similar treatment here or no
we are unable to state, but shortly afte
they all emigrated to America. Th
first families arrived in 1919 and settles
in Germantown. In 1888 company Q
them emigrated from Pennsylvania an
, established themselves in Wester
MARYLAND, where their numerou
churches and large numbers at tn
q present day are proof abundant c
their religious activity and zeal. Their
T. are in Washington County no less tina
fourteen churches, with considerabl
membership. Those at Keedysville an
8 Beaver Creek are the oldest in tn
county. The latest addition is the on
# on East Washington street, in Hager'
q town. The one at Sharpsburg his
become famous because of the part
PLAYED in the battle of Antietam; IL
g it was about this old building that TT
g battle ragged most fiercely. Here it WI
If that the three corps of Hooker, Man
r. field and Sumner were complete
- shattered while attempting to tut
. Jackson's flank; four generals al
10 nearly all the commissioned office
6 were slain, and brigades were reduce
6 to mere handfuls. The walls of the o
l. church were shattered by shot al
u shell, but they have since been repalr'
:; and show,no marks of the deadly co
= fict in which they took so conspicuo'
a part.
y MANY of the most prominent citizel
,e in Washington County are descend'
. from old Dunkard families. The Ne'
If romers, Millers, Weltys, Sniyely
al Rohrers, Middlekauffs, Funks and w
10 mers. were originally members OF u